Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries, yet between 20% and 40% of people who experience them go on to develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). CAI can be painful and increases the risk of reinjury, making it harder to stay active in everyday life.
At South Denver Podiatry in Littleton, Colorado, our team treats ankle instability, including using surgical methods. Here, we explain what causes weak ankles, highlight nonsurgical treatments that may help, and outline signs you may benefit from ankle stabilization surgery.
Your ankle joint is surrounded by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These soft tissues support the joint and assist with daily motions, but if they become stretched or overextended, you may notice your ankle feels wobbly or weak.
Even though a minor sprain may heal within a few weeks, repeated sprains can weaken these structures and lead to hyperlaxity, or overly loose ligaments. Hyperlaxity results in an excessive range of motion, which increases the risk of further injury. If you run, play sports, or stay active on your feet, this can keep you sidelined or in a constant state of recovery.
The good news is that most ankle injuries can be treated with a conservative, noninvasive approach. We often recommend:
Lifestyle changes are also important. For example, if you run, try to keep your workouts on flat, even surfaces such as a paved track instead of running on the road. Likewise, listen to your body. If your ankle begins to hurt or feels like it may give out during exercise, stop and rest. Pushing through the pain increases the risk of further damage.
Sometimes, severe ankle injuries require surgery to stabilize the joint and prevent the issue from worsening. Schedule a visit if you have any of the following symptoms:
Keep in mind that surgery is usually a last resort. Most people don’t need it, unless symptoms last six months or longer despite conservative treatment.
Surgical stabilization of the ankle is an outpatient procedure usually performed with a minimally invasive approach.
During surgery, your provider makes small incisions near your ankle joint and tightens your existing ligaments or uses a graft to replace ligaments that are completely damaged. This restores stability by limiting excessive motion.
Your provider closes the incisions at the end of surgery and provides a personalized recovery plan, which usually includes pain medication and physical therapy to speed healing.
Choosing surgical stabilization is a big decision, but it can restore your mobility and help keep your ankles healthy. Contact us if a history of sprained ankles is keeping you sidelined. Call our Littleton, Colorado, office or book your appointment online.
